Valentine's wishes

Quote: "I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." -Unkown

Ahhhh Valentine's Day is here again. And I am single again. For the 25th Valentine's Day of my life.

Yep- that's right. I have never celebrated a Valentine's Day with a boyfriend. Am I bitter? No. Do I care? Not really. 

It'll happen when it's supposed to. When it does I'm sure it'll be magical. Fireworks, love thick in the air, butterflies... AIN'T. 

I'm sure it'll be a pain in the butt. 

Who wants to stress about a present for a guy on a random day in February? Didn't Christmas JUST happen? Literally the most stressful day/season of the year is Christmas and now a mere 1.5 months later we're all supposed to stress again? 

Nope- so not sad I'm missing out.

But if I had a gun to my head and was told "DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT STEREOTYPICAL VALENTINES DAY OR ELSE..." this is what I'd say to avoid getting a cap in my A** (thug life).  

And then I'll show what will actually happen in reality.

(Future BF I hope you read this... jk)

Dreams:

For flowers this chick would want an orchid. It's my favorite flower. They are expensive little things though. But oh how I love them. 

Reality:

I got a rose from the technician at my laser hair removal appointment during lunch today. That's right... the people who zap the hair from my body gave me a rose. So romantic.

Sad thing is... it made me feel happy. ha

Also- my dog regurgitated some lettuce at lunch today. Does that count as getting a plant?

Lettuce throw up...the gift that keeps on giving.

Dreams:

A romantic dinner at a trendy restaurant in Atlanta. Fresh fish from The Optimist would be a clutch date.

Reality:

I will go to the gym and cook myself the same Paleo dinner I've had every night this week.

However- I'm a simple girl and could continue to eat this every night. I just think it's delicious. 

Dreams:

My hunk of a man would give me delicious strawberries.

Reality:

If I develop a sweet tooth tonight I will satisfy myself with an apple or pear.

Dreams:

Mr. Right would buy me a gift. This gift would be a weekend trip somewhere fun. I'm not really into jewelry and all that jazz. I'd much rather spend money on trips with someone fun. 

Reality:

My mom bought me some goodies. She does every year for all us kids and they are always great little V-Day treats!

This year I got some comfy slippers to lounge around in and take my dog out in. I also got a delicious smelling J-Lo candle.

So no complaints here. 

Dreams:

I would be smothered in kisses from a man like Channing Tatum.

DAYYYum.

Reality:

I will be smothered in kisses from a dog with 22 toes. 

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So there you have it people. The ultimate single girls Valentine's Day. 

You know what... I'm kinda satisfied with my day so far and excited for what my normal night holds. 

Because seriously, who doesn't want to make out with their dog. HA 

Wishing each of you a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Smell ya later love birds. 

Built in Best Friends

Quote: "Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who would love the person you hide." -unknown

You ever read a good book before going to sleep and wake up the next morning and think it's real life? I do it All.The.Time.

In the past week or so I've finished 3 different books. One morning I woke up thinking I had a rich millionaire husband. One morning I woke up and legit thought I was fighting for the love of a cowboy who had fathered my child and then left for the rodeo. And another morning I woke up thinking I was a dog who loved racing. 

Seriously- I need to get a grip on my life and maybe stop reading so much. But I can't. I LOVE to read. I LOVE to get lost in a good story. I am especially into sappy romance books right now. I think I like them because they make me feel like there is love in the world. No matter how odd and twisted a relationship begins in these stories its fun to see how they all work out. Or don't.

Any who, enough about the fantasy worlds from books I have apparently created in my head... Like a nut job.

This weekend we went to the lake and relaxed, ate, drank, and enjoyed each other's company. Once again it never ceases to surprise me how close my family is and how well we get along. 

I'd like to thank God for a wonderful family and built in best friends. 

Some of my best friends in life are my siblings. When we were younger we played together and fought together. It's been so incredible to watch how our relationships have changed/developed over the years. How we have gone from "play pals" to best friends and support systems. The 4 of us are the ones we can turn to whenever we need help, advice, a laugh or just comfort.

Ann and I are the closest in age and we used to fight a lot. And by fight a lot I mean I probably just picked on her and she cried.  We started to share friends through sports and school since we were so close in age. And it used to drive me up the wall. I used to get SOOO jealous when one of my friends started hanging out with Ann too. I would get so mad.

Fast Forward a few years and now I LOVE that we share friends. It makes it so nice and easy whenever we make plans. It's also awesome that Ann and I are now best friends ourselves. Never would of guessed that one day little annoying Annie would be the person I invite to hang out. 

Love that girl.

Philip and Abby were always younger than me so I didn't hang out with them too much. Now Philip is one of my favorite people. We have a similar dry humor and I love spending time with him. I especially love his friends. It's been so nice throughout his college years to hang out and become friends with his buddies. Philip is away right now with football and life and I miss him. But I can't wait to see where his life takes him. Hopefully where ever he goes we remain close.

Abby is so much younger than me that we didn't have a very close relationship while she was in High School because I was away at college. When I would come home from college she would drive me crazy with all her teenage friends and their drama. I tried to remember when I was 15 and how annoying I was too. But it still drove me nuts. I am so glad we are not in the teenage stage of our family anymore. Recently Abby and I have gotten much closer. I love her sense of humor and the odd ball that she is. We actually spend time together alone now and we can chat on the phone. I think it is so wonderful having a friend in my baby sister. And a funny friend at that. 

My family means the world to me. They are truly the lights of my life. I do not know where I would be without each and every one of them. I treasure and value our relationships as a whole and individually. 

Smell ya later all you sappy siblings out there.

Small Obsessions

Quote: "Eat, drink, and be s

Took another blogging hiatus recently. Seems to be a recurring theme these days.

Oh well.

Right now I am feeling good. I have my life in order and am happy. 

Here are a few things that currently are making me happy as a clam:

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This bad boy in light blue. 

I've been searching high and low for a new bedside lamp and I finally found it at Kohls. For cheaaaap. It was only $35.99 when it originally sells for over $100.

Steal!

http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1293404/safavieh-paris-table-lamp.jsp

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Recently people have been telling my my dog's collar looks pink. Which irks me because I'm not into having an uber girly dog by any means. The collar is supposed to be fuscia/purple. Come on people, it's not pink! 

But on top of that she rolled in stinky stuff at the lake the other weekend so it was definitely time for a new sexy collar for my girl.

And this little beaut just came in the mail. 

I ordered it from ETSY (link below).

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shopcateyblue?ref=seller_info

I just had to get it in the lavender color. 

It's safe to say she looks super cute now.

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Also majorly crushing on my new Nike Pro Combat Leggings.

The are so comfy and so warm.

 I often pretend they are not athletic leggings and I wear them out on the town. And by often I mean basically anytime an outfit requires leggings. 

If we're being serious I couldn't wear them to work out though. 

I'd sweat my butt off in tight leggings. I'm a strictly shorts kinda work out gal. 

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Super into my new fly kicks. 

One of my biggest pet peeves in life is people who wear ugly/dirty gym shoes. I know it's a weird pet peeve but it just seriously annoys me. Which is why I always try to have fresh kicks on my feet.

Call my crazy.

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I'm really into eating Paleo these days. Although I will admit I allow myself to cheat on weekends.

I like the way eating clean makes me feel. I sleep better, I feel better, I look better. 

Last year I lost 30 lbs by exercising regularly and cutting out processed foods by going Paleo.

I love the way I can eat a ton of veggies and fruit everyday so I always feel full.

I also love experimenting with new Paleo recipes. Last night I made Paleo Meatloaf and it was DELICIOUS.

So delicious in fact that I'll probably make it a couple times this week. I have to use up the ingredients I have left over anyway!

Recipe Below:

-I didn't use peppers in mine but I also added mushrooms and carrots.

I didn't make mine in muffin tins I  made it into a little loaf instead.

INGREDIENTS:

§  1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey

§  1 medium zucchini, shredded or chopped finely

§  1 cup finely chopped onion

§  1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

§  1 large egg, lightly beaten

§  2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

§  1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

§  1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

§  1/4 teaspoon salt

§  Feel free to add mushrooms or other veggies are good additions too!

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Generously spray a nonstick muffin pan with olive oil cooking spray.
2. Gently mix turkey, zucchini, onion, bell pepper, egg, vinegar, mustard, other veggies, pepper
and salt in a large bowl, preferably with your hands, without overworking. Equally divide the mixture
among the muffin cups.
3. Bake until the meatloaves are cooked through or an instant-read thermometer inserted into the
center registers 165 degrees F, about 25 minutes. Let the loaves stand in the pan for 5 minutes
before serving.

Makes 6 servings, 2 loaves each.

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I will admit that it comes out looking a little like cat throw up but it tastes soooo good I swear!

Anyway- those are a few of the rando things that are making me happy this week.

Hope you all find little things to make yourself find joy in your week.

xo.

Smell ya later kitties.